different

On August 31, Tom Clancy’s legendary character Jack Ryan will make an epic return, on television for the first time, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. This action-packed thrill-ride – told in eight, one-hour episodes – will resurrect the historic, fan-favorite CIA-analyst turned super spy.

How did the character get here today and what can you expect from this re-imagination? Here’s what you need to know about this iconic American hero from past to present:

– From the silver screen to the television screen: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan will be the first iteration of the character’s story made for long-form television, told in eight, one-hour episodes – featuring an entirely new storyline. Ryan’s character has only appeared in films in previous iterations. – A prequel to the action… with just as much action: This time around, viewers will be treated to the origin story of Jack Ryan. The action begins just four years into his position as analyst at the CIA. – Jack Ryan’s latest mission: Fans of Jack Ryan have followed him around the world to cities like London, Colombia and Russia. This series brings Jack Ryan to Yemen in the midst of violence that threatens destruction on a global scale. – It’s John Krasinski’s turn: The character of Jack Ryan has been played by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine. Now John Krasinski steps into the title role, bringing to it a modern sensibility of the unexpected, everyday hero. – A few familiar faces: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan features three characters that can be found in the novels and films as well: Jack Ryan, James Greer and Cathy Mueller. All the other characters in the new series are original creations. – The real deal: The Jack Ryan story has always been grounded in the real world – think less James Bond, more realistic C.I.A. This series continues to paint a realistic picture of the men and women who protect the nation from terror and violence, packing the show with little-known details about the tools and techniques employed by contemporary intelligence officers and experts. – New dimensions of sound: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan will be delivered to viewers in Dolby Atmos, a more immersive and dynamic audio experience – putting viewers in the center of the action. Combined with Dolby Vision HDR, viewers will see and hear Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan content like never before.

See below for more details on the series and check out the official trailer for Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan here.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to check out a screener ahead of the premiere. Hi-res images can be downloaded here and a press kit is available upon request.

South Africa must change her mind set about medical care and hospitalisation

Medical aid premiums increase exponentially annually, rendering medical aid membership less affordable for an ever increasing number of South Africans. The private healthcare system in South Africa is at risk of becoming unsustainable if medical aid costs continue on this trajectory. To feed private healthcare members into the dysfunctional government health care system, is unrealistic, probably unethical. We need to rethink our medical care practices and options to suit the South African private healthcare market. Much can be learnt from international best practices.

Medical cost drivers push medical aid tariffs. Doctors charge more, hospitals charge more and medical aid premiums increase. We seldom stop to think where increases come from and how they can be prevented or managed. Information empowers. It is time to find out what works well in other countries. How do they manage doctors’ fees? How do they curb hospitalisation costs? What can we learn from them?

Internationally, in first-world countries, 70 – 80% of all surgical procedures are performed in day hospitals, which translates to an average saving of approximately 20% compared to having the same procedures in acute hospitals. Why only 10 – 14% in South Africa? If you have never considered a day hospital for minor procedures, now is the time to be educated about its advantages. A day hospital has the same excellent medical practitioners, state-of-the-art theatres, drugs, beds and cutting edge equipment as an acute hospital. Many procedures can be safely performed in a day hospital. The fact that the same procedure is significantly cheaper at a day hospital, is only one aspect of the array of advantages of opting for a day hospital. Thinking that the medical aid pays in any case is certainly not a responsible attitude; all increases in medical expenses are most certainly passed on to the consumer in the form of increased premiums and decreased benefits. It is always in the consumer’s interest to shop around to save costs where possible.

The benefits of using a day hospital extend to well beyond cost effectiveness. In smaller day hospital facilities with down time for adequate cleaning every 24 hours, the risk of hospital-borne infection is significantly reduced. The smaller number of patients allow for more dedicated care and individualised service from admission all the way through to after care.

It is time for South African consumers to become street smart about their medical care options, especially with regard to the very viable and desirable option of day hospital care. If your medical practitioner has not suggested a day hospital for a minor procedure, it is in your interest to suggest this option to your practitioner. Let us make this difference together

Fifth Element Activewear is a new and unique activewear range, born out if the founder, Christa Calitz’s desire to create a range that will allow women and men to express their individual style.

“The Fifth Element brand has been a passion of mine for a long time. When I started training, I couldn’t find anything in the market which was authentic and which I felt represented my own personality, so I started to search and source items from abroad and investigate opportunities…and it just snowballed. I’ve always had the desire to make something of this concept: Earth, Fire, Water and Air, which are so close to my heart. As a keen water skier, surfer, horse rider and dancer I saw a connection with these elements”

Which makes this range even more remarkable and special is the story behind its name. Christa was in a serious accident more than 21 years ago (March 1996) and subsequently lost her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer and teacher. Christa says that, in a way, she actually lost her ‘fifth element’, translating into her ‘love for life’. She only returned to any form of exercise in August 2015 and dancing in September 2016. “It has been life changing experiences and, along with my confidence and fitness, my passion for training grew…as well as my need to find funky and interesting things to wear while I am living out my passion.”

This Fifth Element range is made with high performance fabrics that look good, supports and keeps you dry and cool all year round.

The Fifth Element range is based on four elements / ranges:

EARTH (stay grounded). The earth element is the foundation of all elements and the combination of balance, perseverance and focus. This range is aimed at sportswear for all fitness training whether you are in the gym, studio or running to stay active.

FIRE (have passion in your heart). Fire is the element of will, passion, change and intensity. The fire range includes bold and colourful designs for men who desire to express their individuality.

WATER (dive deeper). Water symbolises power and strength, can wash away earth, put out fire and carve its way through stone. Nothing is, however, softer and more flexible than water. The water range includes rash guards, surf leggings, swimwear and wet suits for all water-related sports.

AIR (move freely). Air is the manifestation of movement and sound and is also the power of the mind, our inspiration and imagination. Air aids us in the visualisation and realisation of our ideas and dreams – hence this range consisting of dance apparel (beautiful leotard designs, soft tulle skirts and other specialised accessories suitable for ballet, barre and all other classical forms of dance).

“With the Fifth Element range I have proved that, with a positive mindset, encouragement, determination and perseverance one can do anything – what you imagine you can certainly create,” Christa concludes.

The stunning Fifth Element range can be viewed at www.myfifthelement.co.za

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